The other day, my husband and I ran into Addie, one of my students, out in public. We had a sweet but brief exchange, and then we were on our way to enjoy the rest of our weekend. As she was walking away, my husband commented on how young my student looked.
“What do you mean?” I asked him.
“Well, the way you talk about your students makes them seem so much older. You talk about loving Fifth Grade because the students are independent and responsible. They can even email you. I just pictured older kids.”
His response really made me think. I do love Fifth Graders because they are becoming independent and responsible, but the thing I love most about my students, is the fact that they are still kids. The are playful, energetic, and curious. Recess is still their most prized possession because they still enjoy playing outside. These 10 and 11 year olds eagerly want to please their teachers while seeking the approval of their peers. And they are not too old to love a good hug from me.
Having the second oldest students in the school makes it easy to push responsibility and independence on the students. While those skills and characteristics are very important pieces of the Fifth Grade year at Trinity, cherishing childhood is just as important. And let’s face it, recess makes us all smile!
Learner, Thinker, Writer: Laura McRae serves the Trinity School community as a Fifth Grade Teacher.
Cherishing the children in our care and growing – not pushing – responsibility and independence is a privilege. I love the photograph you have included – swinging with abandon during recess!
Well said 🙂 It is the excitement in their eyes and their eagerness to consider how they can pursue their dreams that makes me love working with these ages so much!